It's World War II in Germany, and the life of Liesel Meminger is narrated by no other than Death himself. Liesel is brought to a foster home in Munich after her younger brother dies from illness and her mother, a Communist, is taken away. Liesel discovers an array of characters on Himmel Street: Hans Hubermann, her new Papa and a man with an accordion heart; Rose, her new Mama, who has a temper like a storm; Rudy Steiner, a boy with hair the color of lemons; and Max Vandenburg, the fist-fighting Jew Liesel's new family hides in their basement. Liesel finds something else in Munich--she finds words. Never having learned to read, Hans helps Liesel through her first book: The Gravedigger's Handbook, stolen from her brother's graveside. As the war grows ever fiercer--as the Hubermanns' and Liesel's fear for Max's safety heightens and bombs threaten Munich--Liesel finds solace in her stolen books.